Port Barre traffic clerk accused of stealing over $19K

Deputies have arrested a Port Barre traffic clerk accused of stealing over $19,000 of money from the town.

Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said on May 17, Port Barre’s town clerk contacted the sheriff’s office in reference to the theft of money.

The clerk reported that an employee, Nicole Duff, was serving as a traffic clerk, and one of her daily duties was to retrieve bond money from the Port Barre Police Department, according to a news release.

A spokesperson with the sheriff’s office said an internal review indicated that Duff collected bond money between the months of October 7, 2015, to May 2, 2016, totaling $24,079 but bank records and signed spreadsheets indicated the suspect only deposited $4,332.

Authorities said Duff could not account for the missing $19,747. They said she reportedly failed to follow the proper procedures and internal controls which are in place to retrieve and deposit money from fines and arrests.

Duff was charged with 32 counts of felony theft, malfeasance in office, and two counts of injuring public records. Her bond was set at $31,000.